Category Archives: Reviews

TIFT Candide

Posted on December 3, 2017 by barczablog

While 2017 was a year to celebrate Canada’s 150th, we’re now coming up on the 100th birthday of Leonard Bernstein.  Whether you pronounce it Bern–steen or Bern-stine, the composer, pianist & conductor was born in 1918, which means that it … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | 3 Comments

Four Weddings, a Funeral and a Coronation

Posted on December 1, 2017 by barczablog

That headline is the fanciful title for Tafelmusik’s latest concert.  While it may remind you of a certain British film, it’s a fair description of the evening’s program: one of such remarkable variety, as to constitute a veritable smorgasbord of … Continue reading →

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Tafelmusik Complete Beethoven Symphonies

Posted on November 29, 2017 by barczablog

Tafelmusik have released their recording of the nine Beethoven Symphonies. Before I start going into detail, getting philosophical, getting all mushy about Beethoven, let me say that if you’re looking for a gift for the music-lover in your life, this … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | 2 Comments

Venus ascending

Posted on November 29, 2017 by barczablog

I keep hearing about Venus lately. There’s the novel by Sacher-Masoch, namely Venus in Furs. Yes that’s the Sacher-Masoch whose name has been immortalized in the word masochism, a reminder that sometimes fame isn’t always desirable.  You write a novel … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Reviews | Leave a comment

Runnicles’ Mahler 6

Posted on November 26, 2017 by barczablog

Tonight’s Toronto Symphony concert led by guest conductor Donald Runnicles was an affirmation of the value of live music. There are things you do in person that you simply can’t capture on video let alone on CDs.  Tonight we heard Mahler’s … Continue reading →

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Angela Hewitt’s Keyboard Workout

Posted on November 19, 2017 by barczablog

That was quite a workout tonight, watching Angela Hewitt leading the orchestra while playing four different concerti on one concert programme with the Toronto Symphony at Roy Thomson Hall. She had a very busy evening, playing note-perfect as far as … Continue reading →

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Haus Musik: lavender love letter

Posted on November 17, 2017 by barczablog

I am always inclined to appreciate artists who choose the ambitious path. Tonight’s Haus Musik in The Great Hall directed by Jennifer Nichols aimed to make some challenging connections. This multi-disciplinary work (live music, a DJ, video, painting, poetry in … Continue reading →

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Putnam County: nerds rule

Posted on November 12, 2017 by barczablog

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (PCSB) is not just a musical but also an irresistible evocation of youth, concealed erections and performance anxiety.  A spelling contest is the microcosm, and in this world the nerds rule: not unlike … Continue reading →

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Martin Geck: Beethoven’s Symphonies

Posted on November 8, 2017 by barczablog

Sometimes the release of books and records seems serendipitous.  If I look closer at the process I might start to feel cynical. I will cling to the positive magic implicit in serendipity, naive though it may seem.  For instance, here … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Music and musicology, Reviews | Leave a comment

Musik für das Ende

Posted on November 4, 2017 by barczablog

I’m late coming to the party, seeing something near the end of its run. After seeing Musik für das Ende tonight at the beautiful Guloien Theatre, one of the spaces at Streetcar Crowsnest, Crow’s Theatre’s new facility, I had a … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | 4 Comments